ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to release assessment report of States/UTs based on implementation of Business Reforms Action Plan  tomorrow in presence of Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal
Sectoral reforms introduced for the first time in BRAP 2020 with 72 reforms across 9 key sectors
BRAP 2020 includes 301 reform points covering 15 business regulatory areas
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs will release the assessment report of States/UTs under Business Reforms Action Plan , 2020 in the august presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles on Thursday, 30th June 2022 in New Delhi.
BRAP 2020 includes 301 reform points that cover 15 business regulatory areas such as Access to Information, Single Window System, Labour, Environment, Sectoral Reforms and other reforms spanning across the lifecycle of a typical business.
Sectoral reforms have been introduced for the first time in BRAP 2020 wherein 72 Reforms were identified across 9 sectors, namely, trade license, healthcare, legal metrology, cinema halls, hospitality, fire NOC, telecom, movie shooting and tourism.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , since 2014, has been releasing Business Reform Action Plan  for steering business reforms to create an investor-friendly ecosystem across the country. So far 4 editions of the assessment of States/UTs have been released, and the latest edition is for 2020 assessment.
DPIIT has undertaken a feedback-based exercise wherein feedback was taken from businesses on the quality of implementation of the reforms carried out by the States and UTs. The assessment of States and UTs is based on the feedback obtained from the actual users of respective States/UTs.
DPIIT is the institutional anchor for the Ease of Doing Business program. It has brought in a cohesive approach by breaking the silos and working in collaboration with Governments of States and Union Territories  to improve their business regulatory environment.
Ministry of Communications
Postal Department has set new parcel packaging standards
The Chief Postmaster General said that Kerala Postal Department has set new parcel packaging standards for the smooth and safe delivery of parcels. From April 1, 2022, parcels packed in cloth will not be accepted at post offices. These parcels will only be accepted at post offices in cardboard boxes or wrapped in paper/plastic covers. Instructions for packing postal parcels are available at www.indiapost.gov.in and www.keralapost.gov.in
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Ministry of Heavy Industries
Charging stations for electric vehicles
The Phase-II of FAME Scheme envisages support for setting up of adequate public charging infrastructure to instill confidence among Electrical Vehicles  users, through active participation and involvement of various stakeholders including Government agencies, industries and Public Sector Enterprises .
A budget provision of Rs. 1000 Crore for a period of 3 years [2019-20 to 2021-22] has been earmarked for setting up of charging infrastructure under Phase-II of FAME India Scheme. However, no fund for establishment of charging infrastructure has been sanctioned under this phase of the scheme so far.
This information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Arvind Ganpat Sawant, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Traders to get pension coverage!
Cabinet clears pension scheme for traders
3 crore retail traders and shop keepers to benefit from this move
PM Modi fulfils yet another promise on the first day in Government
India has a rich tradition of trade and commerce. Our traders continue to make a strong contribution to India’s economic growth.
In a decision that will benefit the trading community, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a new scheme that offers pension coverage to the trading community. This is a part of the Prime Minister’s vision to provide a robust architecture of universal social security.
How the scheme works:
Under this scheme all shopkeepers, retail traders and self-employed persons are assured a minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3,000/- month after attaining the age of 60 years.
All small shopkeepers and self-employed persons as well as the retail traders with GST turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore and age between 18-40 years, can enrol for this scheme. The scheme would benefit more than 3 crore small shopkeepers and traders.
The scheme is based on self-declaration as no documents are required except Aadhaar and bank account. Interested persons can enrol themselves through more than 3,25,000 Common Service Centres spread across the country.
The Government of India will make matching contribution in the subscribers’ account. For example if a person with age of 29 years contributes Rs. 100/- month, then the Central Government also contributes the equal amount as subsidy into subscriber’s pension account every month.
Delivering a major promise on Day 1:
By imitating a pension architecture for the trading community, the Prime Minister and his team have fulfilled a major promise made to the people of India. Shri Modi had spoken about the need of proving pension for traders, that would assure them a life of dignity and financial security especially when during their old age.
This decision can also be seen in the light of several other steps taken for the welfare of traders, small and medium business. The GST underwent significant simplification after taking feedback of the trading community. In the same way, Mudra loans gave wings to the entrepreneurial zeal of young India. Loans upto Rs. 1 crore are now easily available.
These, and many more efforts would help the trading community.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates all those who have been conferred the National Film Awards
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has congratulated all those who have been conferred the National Film Awards today.
In a reply to a tweet by Union Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Congratulations to all those who have been conferred the National Film Awards. This honour is a fitting recognition of their creativity and contribution to the world of entertainment, art and culture.”
Ministry of Textiles
Eight Craft Villages taken up under ‘Linking textile with Tourism’ to promote craft and tourism at a single location
Craft Village to develop handicrafts as a sustainable and remunerative livelihood option for artisans
Major tourist places are being linked with handicrafts cluster and Infrastructure supports combined with soft interventions are being proposed under the “Linking Textile with tourism”.
In this regard, 8 Craft Villages at Raghurajpur , Tirupati , Vadaj , Naini , Anegundi , Mahabalipuram , Taj Ganj , Amer  have already been taken up for overall development of the villages wherein craft promotion and tourism are being taken up at single location.
Craft Village will develop handicrafts as a sustainable and remunerative livelihood option for artisans in the clusters and thus protecting the rich artisanal heritage of the country. Through this programme, around 1000 artisans will be benefitted directly across the country. This programme has also increased the tourist inflow across these Craft Villages.
AD/NS
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Amendments to the Juvenile Justice  Act, 2015
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to amend the Juvenile Justice  Act, 2015 to introduce measures for strengthening Child Protection set-up to ensure best interest of children.
The amendments include authorizing District Magistrate including Additional District Magistrate to issue adoption orders under Section 61 of the JJ Act, in order to ensure speedy disposal of cases and enhance accountability. The District Magistrates have been further empowered under the Act, to ensure its smooth implementation, as well as garner synergized efforts in favour of children in distress conditions. Defining eligibility parameters for appointment of CWC members, and categorizing previously undefined offences as ‘serious offence’ are some of the other aspects of the proposal. Several difficulties faced in implementation of various provisions of the Act have also been addressed.
Prime Minister's Office
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh calls on Prime Minister
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath called on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today.
The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X;
“Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri @myogiadityanath, met Prime Minister @narendramodi. @CMOfficeUP”
The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today said the COVID-19 vaccination campaign should become a people’s movement and appealed to every eligible person to take the required doses without any fear or hesitation.
Launching a free vaccination program organized by Swarna Bharat Trust in Hyderabad in collaboration with Bharat Biotech International Ltd and MediCiti Hospitals, Shri Naidu said there was no alternative to taking the vaccine.
Calling for countering the misinformation on vaccines, he urged the people’s representatives, film and sports celebrities to take the lead in dispelling myths and fears on COVID-19 vaccination.
Highlighting the important role of the media in creating awareness and in encouraging COVID appropriate behavior, the Vice President said that every citizen, who is eligible for vaccination, should deem it as his/ her duty to take the required doses of vaccine.
Mentioning that more than 71 crore doses were administered in the country till September 6th, 2021, he expressed his happiness that more than 50 per cent of the eligible people were vaccinated with at least a single dose.
Terming it as a collective and remarkable effort of the Centre and states in the spirit of Team India, the Vice President stressed that the mission of vaccination should not lose momentum until every citizen is vaccinated.
Shri Naidu observed that at a time when even developed countries struggled to cope with the pandemic, India has not only successfully manufactured vaccines indigenously, but is also conducting the world’s largest free vaccination program. ‘Further, in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, India has exported vaccines around the world’, he added.
The Vice President also stressed the importance COVID appropriate behavior even after vaccination to effectively fight the pandemic. He emphasized that people should take personal responsibility in adherence to personal hygiene, in wearing masks and in maintaining a safe distance.
Shri Naidu suggested to the people to adopt healthy lifestyle choices, such as practicing yoga, maintaining physical fitness and eating healthy food in order to ward off health problems.
He complimented the organizers of the free vaccination program - Swarna Bharat Trust, Bharat Biotech, Muppavarapu Foundation, MediCiti Hospitals , Simhapuri Vaidya Seva Samiti , Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Hospitals  for their initiative and efforts. The free vaccination programme was simultaneously launched at three centers - in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Nellore.
The spouse of the Vice President, Smt. Usha Naidu, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech Ltd., Smt. Suchitra Ella, former Captain of Indian Hockey team, N. Mukesh Kumar and Chairman, Swarna Bharat Trust, Dr. Kamineni Srinivas were among those who participated in the event at Hyderabad.
Ministry of Defence
Modernisation of Defence Sector
Government is taking measures for modernization of the Armed Forces, through procurement of new equipment and upgrading of existing equipment and systems including security systems so as to ensure that the Armed Forces are equipped to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges. The modernization projects are progressed as per the approved Capital Acquisition Plans and in terms of the extant Defence Procurement Procedure .
Government is pursuing initiatives to achieve higher levels of indigenization and self-reliance in the defence sector by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sector industries in the countries. These measures include according priority and preference to procurement from Indian vendors and liberalization of the licensing regime. DPP accords the highest priority to Buy Indian  . The ‘Make’ procedure has been simplified with provisions for earmarking projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 crores  and Rs.3 crores  for micro, small and medium enterprises ; and with provisions for involving private industry as production agencies and technology transfer partners. The simplified Make-II procedure has been notified for Industry funded development projects. Government has also promulgated the policy on Strategic Partnership in the Defence Sector to encourage broader participation of the private sector in manufacture of major defence platforms and equipment.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Kumari Selja in Rajya Sabha today.
NAo/Nampi/Rajib/HS
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Contract Farming
There are prevalent contract farming agreements in various states of the country and farmers are taking benefit. There is no central database of Contract Farming Agreements. States have statutory resolution mechanism under their own statutes. In case of disputes, farmers can approach the Authorities as prescribed in the respective state’s legal framework. There are many successful examples of good contract farming agreements which benefit the farmers.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Coal
Import of all grades of Non Coking Coalcomes down to 125.61 Million Ton During April to January 2022 from 163.85 MT in FY 2020
Overall Coal Import Down To 173.20 MT during April to January 2022
From 207.24 MT During FY 2020
With considerable increase in domestic coal production, India has achieved significant reduction in import of coal despite surge in power demand. Imports of all grades of Non Coking Coal has come down to 125.611 Million Ton  during the period April to January 2022 from 163.845 MT during the corresponding months of the FY 20, a decline of about 23.33%.
The domestic coal based power generation upto January 2022 is 815.72 BU  with an increase of 12.55% over 724.746 BU during the corresponding period of FY 20. Imported coal based power generation which was 78.07 BU during April to January 2020 has reduced by 55% to 35.13 BU during corresponding months of current FY 22.
The import of Non Coking coal primarily used in power sector has decreased by 60.87% from 58.09 MT to 22.73 MT upto Jan 22 in comparison to the same period of FY 20. The overall import of coal has also reduced to 173.20 MT in the period from April to January 2022 as compared to 207.235 MT during the corresponding period of FY 20, decrease of about 16.42% which has resulted in significant savings of forex reserves this year especially when the coal prices are at a high level in the international market. All efforts are on to further enhance domestic coal production as availability of additional coal will aid in import-substitution.
India is the world’s third largest energy consuming country and electricity demand grows by 4.7% each year. To reduce the dependence on imports of coal, major reforms initiatives has been undertaken by the Ministry of Coal with the vision of “AtmaNirbhar Bharat”. The Ministry has amended the Mineral
Concession  Rules, 1960 under MMDR
 Act, 2021 to allow lessee of captive mines to sell coal or lignite up to 50% of the total excess production after meeting the requirements of the end-use plant. With this amendment, MoC has paved the way for releasing of additional coal in the market by greater utilization of mining capacities of captive coal blocks which has led to increase in production of coal by 37.85% from 51.73 MT upto Jan 2020to 71.31 MT during the corresponding period of FY 22. This has led to an overall increase in domestic production of coal by 8.38% to 601.97MT upto January 22 as compared to 555.41 MT in the corresponding months of FY 20.In the FY 23, it is expected that domestic thermal coal supply will be adequate to meet power sector demand.
The financial year 2020-21 is not being taken for comparison purpose as it was impacted by Covid – 19 pandemic.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Anti-microbial multilayer face mask to annihilate pathogenic microorganisms
The mask has hydrophobic surface on the outer layer to deflect water droplets containing the viruses
As of now there is no vaccine or drug available to combat novel coronavirus. Mask, physical distancing and frequent handwashing are the only ways that can save lives. The World Health Organisation  has also given recommendations on the kind of mask that is most suitable for protection against coronavirus. But wearing mask for a long time may cause suffocation and proper handling of mask is tricky too. To address a few of such issues, Dr Marshal and his team at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology , have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask.
This face mask can annihilate pathogenic microorganisms that are stuck to its outer surface and thereby limit the spread of secondary infections. “The mask that is available in the market currently acts as a filter to stop the entry of microbes to oral and nasal airways but does not have any effect on the microbe stuck to the mask surface,” said Dr Marshal, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, IIT , while speaking with India Science Wire.
Dr Marshal and anti-microbial multilayer face masks
This shortcoming in masks could be dangerous for medical and paramedical staff due to the presence of higher viral or bacterial load on their outer surface. Dr Marshal’s team addresses this problem by stacking different layers of nanometal conjugated with protonated amine matrix.
The first layer of the mask can degrade any type of RNA, the next layer is anti-microbial, the third one is for air filtration, and the fourth and fifth layers are ‘comfortable layers’, which will remain close to the nose and mouth. “Copper and silver are de-transition elements and as per our knowledge they can degrade this virus and all the other members of SARS virus. We took a cocktail combination of copper, copper oxides, silver, and activated charged silver, which can help degrade RNA,” said Dr Marshal.
For degradation testing, the researchers took the RNA of lung cells as novel coronavirus propagates rapidly in the lungs. The RNA of other cells were also extracted. “We have extracted both cancerous and non-cancerous cells too. We have checked the degradation of these molecules. We have tested this in solution base and in coating base methods. This testing showed that the RNA was getting degraded. After this, we have optimised it,” said the researcher. The mask has hydrophobic surface on the outer layer to deflect water droplets containing the viruses. Patent has been applied for the product.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President grieves the passing away of legendary musician Shri S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
It is a deeply emotional moment for me- Vice President
The Vice President has condoled the demise of legendary musician, Shri S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.
Following is his full statement-
“I am shocked to learn of the tragic demise of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam whom I have known for a number of decades. It is truly an irreparable loss to the world of music and a deeply emotional moment for me personally. SPB or Balu as he was fondly called by his innumerable admirers came from Nellore, my native place. I have had immense admiration for him as I heard his rapturous melodies, his passionate love for his mother tongue and the extraordinary manner in which he groomed a whole generation of talented, young musicians.
He leaves a void in my heart and the hearts of millions of music lovers across the world. His mellifluous voice has been unfortunately muted by the vicious virus. However, his genial smile and infectious humour will remain etched in our memories. His extraordinary renditions of songs will keep ringing in our ears and resonating in our consciousness for a very long time to come.
I pay my reverential homage to this legendary musician whom I have had the pleasure of knowing so closely. I pray to the Almighty to give his family the strength to cope with this most unexpected loss”.
Ministry of Defence
Increased outlay for BRO in Budget 2021-22 to boost border infrastructure
Union Budget 2021-22 has proposed increased funding for Border Roads Organisation  to boost infrastructure in frontier areas. Allocation for road development projects in border areas has been raised from Rs 5,586.23 crore to Rs 6,004.08 crore for Financial Year 2021-22. The budget for maintenance of border roads has gone up from Rs 750 crore to Rs 850 crore, while the capital works allocation has been revised upwards to Rs 2,500 crore from budgetary provision of Rs 2,300 crore for Financial Year 2020-21.
This increased allocation shall facilitate procurement of modern construction plants, equipment and machinery to enhance the pace of construction warranted by strategic imperatives. A large share of increased funding will be used for better upkeep of strategic roads in the border areas and it will also give a major boost to construction of strategically important roads, tunnels and bridges along the northern and north-eastern borders.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Prime Minister's Office
PM Modi inaugurates dynamic lighting at Parliament House Complex
As India gets ready to mark Independence Day, PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the dynamic lighting facility at Parliament House Complex on the evening of Tuesday, 13th August, 2019. The Prime Minister also spent time witnessing some parts of the light show. Such lighting has been done in important Government buildings such as North Block, South Block and Rashtrapati Bhavan. This lighting facility has become increasingly popular among citizens, encouraging more people to visit these landmarks in the heart of Delhi.